Page 124 of A Whisper and a Curse

Inspector Maxwell entered. He was tall, though not as tall as Hadrian. He held his hat, which left his head bare to reveal thick, light-brown curls. He had a neatly trimmed beard and warm hazel eyes that regarded Tilda with respect. He flicked a glance toward Hadrian.

“Welcome, Inspector,” Tilda said. “Allow me to introduce Lord Ravenhurst.”

The inspector inclined his head toward Hadrian. “Good afternoon, my lord.”

“Good afternoon,” replied Hadrian.

“How can I be of help?” Tilda asked the inspector.

The inspector rotated the hat in his hands. “I’m with the City of London Police. I’ve come to speak with you about a case.”

Tilda’s pulse quickened. Was he here to consult with her? She didn’t dare to hope that could be true. Scotland Yard would never do that. But Maxwell was not from the Metropolitan Police. She decided he was likely there to interview her about something. “I’m happy to provide whatever information I can to help you.”

“I didn’t come to interview you,” Maxwell said. Again, he glanced toward Hadrian. He seemed to hesitate.

“I don’t mind you speaking in front of Ravenhurst,” Tilda said, trying not to sound too eager. But the thought of consulting with a police department was more than she’d ever dreamed. It occurred to her that Maxwell likely knew of her because ofClement’s article. Unless Teague had mentioned her, but that assumed this man even knew Teague.

If it was the newspaper article, Maxwell wouldn’t know that Hadrian participated in her investigations. Clement did not include that fact. Tilda added, “The earl is exceptionally discreet. He assists me with most of my investigations, in fact.”

Maxwell’s expression flickered with surprise. “Does he? A woman private investigator is astonishing enough, but I was not prepared for her to have a nobleman as an assistant.”

“And yet she does,” Hadrian said benignly.

The inspector nodded at Hadrian before regarding Tilda once more. “Miss Wren, I am in need of a female investigator, and I am desperately hoping you will consent to help me. I would like you to be my wife.”